Grimsby Town picked up another point at home as they held title-chasing Bury to a goalless draw at Blundell Park.

Both sides had their chances in an entertaining game in Cleethorpes, with the Mariners putting in an admirable performance as they went toe-to-toe with the division’s top scorers.

Given the obvious threat their title-chasing opponents posed, Michael Jolley chose to make two changes to the side that started the previous week’s goalless draw against Northampton.

Fresh from duty with Wales’ Under-21s, Harry Clifton replaced fellow international Elliot Embleton, while Reece Hall-Johnson took his place in defence as Danny Collins moved to the bench.

Despite coming up against the top-scorers in the league, it was the Mariners who created the early chances, with Clifton just unable to find the killer pass after latching on to Jordan Cook’s ball, before Woolford took aim with a volley which Joe Murphy held on to.

The early work from Town was good as they pressed their opponents with purpose and kept them penned in their own half, although when they managed to break out it was clear to see their threat, with James McKeown forced into a good save when Jay O’Shea’s shot took a deflection off Harry Davis.

Action from Grimsby Town's League Two clash against Bury at Blundell Park. (Image: Jon Corken/Grimsby Live)

Midway through the half, the visitors were beginning to build up a head of steam, and a neat one-two between Nicky Maynard and Eoghan O’Connell presented the latter with a decent opportunity from the edge of the box, but McKeown was once again equal to the effort.

A quickly-taken free-kick almost caught the Mariners out when Caolan Lavery picked up the ball in the penalty area to the left of goal, but McKeown and Hall-Johnson combined to ensure the danger didn’t go any further.

Just before the break, Town spurned a great opportunity to take the lead as Clifton broke at pace following a Bury free-kick, but his pass went astray at the vital moment as he approached the penalty area with Woolford best-placed to pounce.

The visitors caused a bit of panic in the Mariners’ penalty area early in the second half, with McKeown and his defence having to combine in order to scramble a corner away from their own goal-line.

After that though, it was the hosts who looked to have control of the game, without being able to test Murphy in the Bury goal.

They were almost made to pay for their profligacy when Nicky Maynard’s powerful strike from a corner called for strong hands from McKeown in order to beat the ball away.

Action from Grimsby Town's League Two clash against Bury at Blundell Park. (Image: Jon Corken/Grimsby Live)

The introduction of Ahkeem Rose to proceedings almost paid dividends as he showed his searing pace to break away and send the ball towards Clifton, with it then being moved on to Jake Hessenthaler who could only fire over.

It was another substitute who got the Blundell Park faithful out of their seats moments later when Charles Vernam’s powerful strike from distance just fizzed wide as anticipation began to grow.

The Mariners found themselves having to defend stoutly as the game reached its climax, but they accomplished their job to a tee as they claimed another point with their second consecutive goalless draw.

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